Good To Know

LSUS COMPUTER SCIENCE PROGRAM RANKED NO. 10 IN TOP 55 MOST AFFORDABLE CYBER SECURITY PROGRAMS

For the past two years, on March 2, UWNWLA has organized groups of volunteer readers to participate in Read Across America Day, celebrating Dr. Suess’s birthday and advocating the importance of reading to young children. Each volunteer is sent to a Caddo or Bossier Parish elementary school to read a Dr. Suess book and provide fun activities for the students that encourage

Cyber Degrees EDU recently published its list of Top Cyber Degrees EDU recently published its list of Top reading. Due to COVID-19 and new school regulations, 55 Most Affordable Cyber Security Programs, and LSU UWNWLA could not hold the traditional event this year. Shreveport’s Computer Science program earned the No. However, the organization is still working to provide the 10 slot. 10 slot. tools needed to improve early childhood education.

Cyber Degrees EDU is an industry-leader in the edu Cyber Degrees EDU is an industry-leader in the edu- “There is a critical and ongoing need to increase cation field that offers a comprehensive and current set and improve the quality of early education for children of information for students who have an interest in pur- in our region,” said LaToria Thomas, Vice President of suing higher education and employment in the fields of Community Investments & Operations. “Focusing our cyber security and computer science. limited resources on children at the earliest stages of

“The LSUS computer Science Department is excited “The LSUS computer Science Department is excited learning will give them the social and developmental that our cyber security degree received this ranking,” skills they need to succeed in school and life. We are Department Chair Richard Watson said. “We are con- thrilled to be able to celebrate Read Across America Day tinually growing and enhancing all of our degree plans. tinually growing and enhancing all of our degree plans. by building up head start libraries and giving children We are currently working with GDIT to inject more the keys to success for a brighter future.” industry standard technologies into our cyber security industry standard technologies into our cyber security “Red River Parish School Board Head Start is so courses and to broaden our course offerings in the area.” excited to be the recipient of this great donation,” said

Computer Science students, alongside all majors, Christy Suggs, Read River Head Start Director. “Storyutilize the LSUS Cyber Collaboratory. It offers a stateutilize the LSUS Cyber Collaboratory. It offers a state- books are essential for building a strong educational of-the-art immersive learning space where students, foundation. The more a child is exposed to books and faculty, and industry partners can come together to dis- read aloud to, the stronger their love for reading becuss, research, and create their visions utilizing the lat cuss, research, and create their visions utilizing the lat- comes. Books take you on trips to places our children est technology. may never get to see. They help develop concepts and re-

“The Cyber Collaboratory provides many benefits to “The Cyber Collaboratory provides many benefits to late our lessons in class to the outside world. We greatly the students in all our programs,” Watson said. “Besides the students in all our programs,” Watson said. “Besides appreciate this donation.” the fact that it gives our students access to a wide variety of cutting-edge technologies that they can use, it also attracts industrial partners who are often interested in attracts industrial partners who are often interested in providing internships to our students and in working providing internships to our students and in working with students and faculty on research projects.”

LSUS also offers a Master of Science in Computer Systems Technology degree with concentrations in Computer Science, Biomedical Informatics, and Business Administration. The department also offers a Minor in Computer Science.

In lieu of participating in Read Across America sets of books from Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library each of the 10 parishes they serve. The receiving centers Bienville Head Start Center, STC Mansfield Head Start, Life’s Little Blessings, and Webster Parish ABC Head

UNITED WAY DONATES BOOKS FROM DOLLY PARTON’S IMAGINATION LIBRARY TO 10 HEAD START CENTERS

For the past two years, on March 2, UWNWLA has organized groups of volunteer readers to participate in Read Across America Day, celebrating Dr. Suess’s birthday and advocating the importance of reading to young children. Each volunteer is sent to a Caddo or Bossier Parish elementary school to read a Dr. Suess book and provide fun activities for the students that encourage reading. Due to COVID-19 and new school regulations, UWNWLA could not hold the traditional event this year. However, the organization is still working to provide the tools needed to improve early childhood education.

“There is a critical and ongoing need to increase and improve the quality of early education for children in our region,” said LaToria Thomas, Vice President of Community Investments & Operations. “Focusing our limited resources on children at the earliest stages of learning will give them the social and developmental skills they need to succeed in school and life. We are thrilled to be able to celebrate Read Across America Day by building up head start libraries and giving children the keys to success for a brighter future.” “Red River Parish School Board Head Start is so excited to be the recipient of this great donation,” said Christy Suggs, Read River Head Start Director. “Storybooks are essential for building a strong educational foundation. The more a child is exposed to books and read aloud to, the stronger their love for reading becomes. Books take you on trips to places our children may never get to see. They help develop concepts and relate our lessons in class to the outside world. We greatly appreciate this donation.”

In lieu of participating in Read Across America Day, United Way of Northwest Louisiana donated 10 sets of books from Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library to a local head start programs and child-care centers in each of the 10 parishes they serve. The receiving centers are Benton Head Start Center, Brown E. Moore Head Start, Breda Town Center, Red River Head Start, Universal Pre-Kindergarten, Humpty Dumpty Head Start, Bienville Head Start Center, STC Mansfield Head Start, Life’s Little Blessings, and Webster Parish ABC Head Start Center. In addition to UWNWLA’s donation for Read Across America Day, the organization is planning to extend their promotion of reading all month long through DPIL.

LSUS DEBATE OVERCOMES WEATHER LSUS DEBATE OVERCOMES WEATHER OBSTACLES TO NOTCH SECOND PLACE WIN IN OBSTACLES TO NOTCH SECOND PLACE WIN IN BPCC TOURNAMENT BPCC TOURNAMENT

The LSUS Debate Team earned second place over-The LSUS Debate Team earned second place overall with several individual awards at the Bossier Parish all with several individual awards at the Bossier Parish Community College (BPCC) Annual Eddy Shell Invita Community College (BPCC) Annual Eddy Shell Invitational Debate Tournament. Despite water, internet, and tional Debate Tournament. Despite water, internet, and power complications from severe inclement weather, power complications from severe inclement weather, the team went home victorious on the weekend of Feb the team went home victorious on the weekend of February 19, 2021. ruary 19, 2021. In the Team International Public Debate Associa In the Team International Public Debate Association (IPDA) portion of the tournament, LSUS brought tion (IPDA) portion of the tournament, LSUS brought home three individual awards. Partners Mathew Cole home three individual awards. Partners Mathew Coleman and Jewel Thomas finished as quarterfinalists, and man and Jewel Thomas finished as quarterfinalists, and senior Dominick Mercer was a fourth-place Speaker in senior Dominick Mercer was a fourth-place Speaker in Team Debate. Mercer and his partner Ethan Arbuckle Team Debate. Mercer and his partner Ethan Arbuckle advanced to their third-straight finals round and fin advanced to their third-straight finals round and finished in second place. ished in second place.

In the Novice Division, one Pilot earned two awards. In the Novice Division, one Pilot earned two awards. Thomas earned the third-place Novice Speaker title, and Thomas earned the third-place Novice Speaker title, and took her first trip to the elimination rounds in Individu took her first trip to the elimination rounds in Individual Debate. She advanced to the final round and finished al Debate. She advanced to the final round and finished as the Novice Division Champion. as the Novice Division Champion.

LSUS also fared well in the Varsity Division. Mercer LSUS also fared well in the Varsity Division. Mercer went undefeated in the preliminary rounds and then went undefeated in the preliminary rounds and then advanced to the quarter final round in the elimination advanced to the quarter final round in the elimination bracket. He just missed out on advancing out of a chal bracket. He just missed out on advancing out of a chal-

lenging and highly-contested round.

In the Professional Division, the Pilots brought In the Professional Division, the Pilots brought home four awards. Graduate student Matthew Gedeon home four awards. Graduate student Matthew Gedeon was the second-place Speaker in the division. Gedeon was the second-place Speaker in the division. Gedeon also advanced to the quarterfinal round. Former Director of Debate and LSUS Alumnus Trey Gibson competed and was the fifth-place Speaker. Gibson advanced to the final round and finished second for the tournament.

LSUS will compete next at the University of Central Arkansas virtual tournament on March 13 and 14, 2021.

WILLIS-KNIGHTON HEART & VASCULAR INSTITUTE FIRST IN NORTHWEST LOUISIANA TO OFFER SYNERGY XD 48MM STENT

Northwest Louisiana’s first Synergy™ XD 48mm Northwest Louisiana’s first Synergy™ XD 48mm stent has been implanted by Dr. Jonathan M. Davis, in stent has been implanted by Dr. Jonathan M. Davis, interventional cardiologist with Pierremont Cardiology.

The Synergy XD drug-eluting stent, by Boston Scientific, while not new technology, is what Dr. Davis refers to as “an example of Willis-Knighton investing in tech to as “an example of Willis-Knighton investing in technology that helps us best manage our patients with cor nology that helps us best manage our patients with coronary artery disease.”

The Synergy XD, which is placed in the artery using The Synergy XD, which is placed in the artery using a balloon catheter, is the first and only FDA-approved drug eluting stent available in the United States.

“I was excited to offer this patient a single stent to “I was excited to offer this patient a single stent to cover his long area of blockage rather than having overlapping stents, which may increase his risk for recurrent blockage of the artery,” Dr. Davis says. “My hope is he blockage of the artery,” Dr. Davis says. “My hope is he will be able to return to marathon running.”

It is estimated that more than 18 million Americans It is estimated that more than 18 million Americans age 20 and older have coronary artery disease. Coronary artery disease is the most common type of heart disease in the United States. It is caused by plaque buildup in the walls of the arteries that supply blood to the heart and other parts of the body.

GEAUX 4 KIDS, INC REACHES 10,000 GEAUX BAG, $1 MILLION MILESTONE

help these kids have a new start.”

According to the Louisiana Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS), 7,016 children were served in the protective custody of foster care in Louisiana in 2019. (2020 number not yet available)

Founder and Executive Director KC Kilpatrick is passionate about providing children who are removed from their home through no fault of their own with dignity and care. “Children need support, and the least we can do is give them a bag of items that they need to make it through the night and the next day, because the next day is going to be full of challenges-emotional, educational and situational,” she said.

In 2020, Geaux 4 Kids, Inc., headquartered in Caddo Parish, officially went statewide, adding a State Advisory Board and distributing Geaux Bags to the eight regions of the Louisiana Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS).

State Advisory Board Member Kelly Orgeron and State Advisory Board Member Kelly Orgeron and other Community Leaders packed the 10,000th Geaux Bag at the “Give Back Geaux Pack” volunteer service Bag at the “Give Back Geaux Pack” volunteer service event on March 17, 2021, at the old Caddo Parish Work Release Facility located at 1125 Forum Drive in Shreve Release Facility located at 1125 Forum Drive in Shreveport, Louisiana.

Each Geaux Bag costs approximately $100, making Each Geaux Bag costs approximately $100, making this milestone a $1 million impact on vulnerable children in Louisiana. Geaux Bags contain all new items: dren in Louisiana. Geaux Bags contain all new items: hairbrush, toothbrush, toothpaste, sulfate-free shampoo, pajamas, pack of underwear, backpack, pillow, blanket, water, snack, comfort Items and a note of encouragement from another child.

In an interview with Fox8 New Orleans, Kelly Org In an interview with Fox8 New Orleans, Kelly Orgeron said “It does your heart good, especially this year; eron said “It does your heart good, especially this year; we’ve had such a difficult, a challenging year for everyone, so it does your heart good. We know that we can help these kids have a new start.”

According to the Louisiana Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS), 7,016 children were served in the protective custody of foster care in Louisiana in 2019. (2020 number not yet available)

Founder and Executive Director KC Kilpatrick is passionate about providing children who are removed from their home through no fault of their own with dignity and care. “Children need support, and the least we can do is give them a bag of items that they need to make it through the night and the next day, because the next day is going to be full of challenges-emotional, educational and situational,” she said.

In 2020, Geaux 4 Kids, Inc., headquartered in Caddo Parish, officially went statewide, adding a State Advisory Board and distributing Geaux Bags to the eight regions of the Louisiana Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS).

MISS LSUS TRADITION CONTINUES, NEW MISS LSUS TRADITION CONTINUES, NEW QUEEN NAMED DESPITE PANDEMIC QUEEN NAMED DESPITE PANDEMIC RESTRICTIONS RESTRICTIONS

LSU Shreveport has named the 2020 Miss LSUS 1st LSU Shreveport has named the 2020 Miss LSUS 1st Runner Up, Abbagail Huddleston-Williams, the 2021 Runner Up, Abbagail Huddleston-Williams, the 2021 Miss LSUS. The traditional in-person pageant was can Miss LSUS. The traditional in-person pageant was cancelled due to pandemic restrictions, but the university celled due to pandemic restrictions, but the university made a special video announcement to celebrate the made a special video announcement to celebrate the new queen. new queen.

The reigning Miss LSUS serves as a true ambassador The reigning Miss LSUS serves as a true ambassador for the university, representing Pilot nation across a for the university, representing Pilot nation across a number of in-person and online venues. Hailey Garrett, number of in-person and online venues. Hailey Garrett, the 2020 Miss LSUS, was the face of the university’s the 2020 Miss LSUS, was the face of the university’s Covid-19 protocol messaging to students, alongside SGA Covid-19 protocol messaging to students, alongside SGA President Tyson Lee. This year, because of the pandemic, President Tyson Lee. This year, because of the pandemic, the pageant committee decided to honor the 2020 Miss the pageant committee decided to honor the 2020 Miss LSUS First Runner-Up as the 2021 Miss LSUS, modeling LSUS First Runner-Up as the 2021 Miss LSUS, modeling the practice of several other nationwide pageants. the practice of several other nationwide pageants.

“We are excited to work with Abbagail as our Miss “We are excited to work with Abbagail as our Miss LSUS representative for the upcoming year,” Director LSUS representative for the upcoming year,” Director of Student Activities & Recreational Sports said. “She is of Student Activities & Recreational Sports said. “She is a talented, caring student who spreads positivity across a talented, caring student who spreads positivity across campus. She is involved in several organizations and will campus. She is involved in several organizations and will be an excellent ambassador for the university.” be an excellent ambassador for the university.”

Huddleston-Williams is a junior majoring in Crim Huddleston-Williams is a junior majoring in Criminal Justice. She is involved in the Student Activities inal Justice. She is involved in the Student Activities Board, the Student Government Association, and Phi Board, the Student Government Association, and Phi Mu. Additionally, she serves as a student employee at Mu. Additionally, she serves as a student employee at the Institute for Nonprofit Administration and Re the Institute for Nonprofit Administration and Research (INAR) Call Center. search (INAR) Call Center. “I am very honored to have the privilege and oppor- “I am very honored to have the privilege and opportunity to be chosen to hold this title,” Huddleston-Wil tunity to be chosen to hold this title,” Huddleston-Williams said. “My plan as the 2021 Miss LSUS is to serve liams said. “My plan as the 2021 Miss LSUS is to serve the campus to the best of my ability, and I am hoping the campus to the best of my ability, and I am hoping that although Covid-19 is still among us, we can still have that although Covid-19 is still among us, we can still have a spectacular year. I am proud to serve not only the cam a spectacular year. I am proud to serve not only the campus, but the community as well. Go Pilots!” pus, but the community as well. Go Pilots!”

2021 Summer Camps!

Summer Camps are back! Summer 2021 is shaping up to be an exciting one. The kids have been locked up and are Summer Camps are back! Summer 2021 is shaping up to be an exciting one. The kids have been locked up and are ready to get out and explore, making new friends along the way and creating everlasting memories. Check out some of the local camps available this summer in our camp listing and find all the fun camp offerings from sports to cheer and academic to art camps; the Shreveport Bossier area has got you and your kids covered! Due to the possibility of and academic to art camps; the Shreveport Bossier area has got you and your kids covered! Due to the possibility of schedule changes, we advise contacting your camps directly. Happy Camping!

ACADEMIC/LEARNING/STEM/STEAM CAMPS BizCamp 318-425-4235 Bricks And Bots/Bricks 4 Kids (318) 734-5346 Camp Cavs (BPCC) (318) 678-6015 Code Ninjas Camp (318) 606-2573 Ages 7-14 (318) 606-2573 Ages 7-14 DMI Development Camps (318) 213-0788 LSUS Continuing Education Camps (318) 798-4177 Magnolia School of Excellence Camps - (318) 402-4220Magnolia School of Excellence Camps - (318) 402-4220 Southfield School Summer Camp (318) 868-5375

ARTS/THEATER/PERFORMING/CAMPS Providence Classical Academy Fine Arts Camp (318) 820-9465Providence Classical Academy Fine Arts Camp (318) 820-9465 Artspace Summer Camps (318) 673-6535 Camp Cavs (318) 678-6015 Robinson Film Center Film Camps (318) 459-4122 St. Mark’s Performing Arts Camps (318) 226-4034 University Elementary Art & Music Camp (318) 286-2154University Elementary Art & Music Camp (318) 286-2154

CHEER/DANCE CAMPS Candace Dance Co Camp (318) 564-4404 Dance Loud Academy Camp (318) 517-3878 TBA Louisiana Cheernastics Camp (318) 865-0264 Power & Grace Dance Camps (318) 869-4853 Shreveport Dance Academy (318) 524-3003 TBA Susan’s Studio of Dance Camps (318) 347-3355

EARLY CHILDHOOD CAMPS Broadmoor Baptist Preschool Camp Broadmoor Baptist Preschool Camp (318) 868-6552 ext.141 (318) 868-6552 ext.141 Broadmoor Presbyterian PALS MDO Program (318) 868-3659Broadmoor Presbyterian PALS MDO Program (318) 868-3659 Brookwood Baptist Preschool Summer Camp (318) 861-8911Brookwood Baptist Preschool Summer Camp (318) 861-8911 Epic Learning Center Day Camps (318) 747-1228 First Methodist Shreveport Camps (318) 424-7771 Kids Unlimited Camp (318) 949-0171 Summer Grove Preschool Summer Program (318) 688-3232

FAITH BASED CAMPS Broadmoor Baptist Day Camp (318) 868-6552 ext.141 Brookwood Baptist Church Day Camp (318) 861-8911 Christian Center Kids Camp (318) 688-9250 Camp Eagle (318) 424-7771 Camp Fuego 318-949-9433 Ferncliff Camp With First Presbyterian (318) 222-0604 (318) 222-0604 First Baptist Church Shreveport Camps (318) 841-8432 First Bossier Camps (318) 746-7940 First Methodist Shreveport Camps (318) 424-7771 TBA Galilee Missionary Baptist Church Camps (318) 773-4078 Gospel Camp Ruston (318) 251-1799 Noel Community Arts Program Camps (318) 221-5207Noel Community Arts Program Camps (318) 221-5207 Shreveport Community Church Camps (318) 683-1594 TBA (318) 683-1594 TBA Shreveport Baptist Temple Character Camps (318) 686-5538 (318) 686-5538 Southland Christian Ministries Camps (318) 894-9154 St. John’s Berchmans School Summer Camp (318) 221-6005 St. Mark’s Performing Arts Camps (318) 226-4034

GYMNASTICS/TUMBLING CAMPS Acrosports (318) 868-3547 Aerial Expressions (318) 347-2608 Bossier Olympiad Summer Camp (318) 299-2894Bossier Olympiad Summer Camp (318) 299-2894 OVERNIGHT/SLEEP-AWAY CAMPS All Saints Summer Camp (318) 455-4219 Brookhill Summer Camp (501) 623-5983 Camp Eagle (318) 424-7771 Camp Fern (903) 935-5420 Camp Fuego 318-949-9433 Christian Center Kids Camp (318) 688-9250 Clara Springs Camp (318) 796-3875 Ferncliff Camp With First Presbyterian (318) 222-0604Ferncliff Camp With First Presbyterian (318) 222-0604

RIDING/EQUESTRIAN CAMPS Double Rainbow Equestrian Riding Camps (318) 949-9133Double Rainbow Equestrian Riding Camps (318) 949-9133 Hidden Acres Equestrian Camp (318) 286-5166 (318) 286-5166 Seventh Heaven Ranch Camps (318) 464-7567 Vivette’s Horseback Riding Camps (318) 564-7192Vivette’s Horseback Riding Camps (318) 564-7192

SPORTS CAMPS Acrosports (318) 868-3547 Bossier Martial Arts Camp (318) 746-5425 (318) 746-5425 Cabosa Soccer Camp (318) 798-7666 Challenger Sports Soccer Camp (800) 878-2167 D-Bat Baseball & Sports Camp (318) 216-5089 Elite Soccer Camps (318) 528-7318 Ages 7-18 (318) 528-7318 Ages 7-18 Evangel Academy Summer Sports Camps (318) 572-9810 Fencing on Fairfield Fencing Camps (318) 227-7575 TBA (318) 227-7575 TBA G-Rock Climbing Camp (318) 734-0197G-Rock Climbing Camp (318) 734-0197 Jared Montz Pro Soccer Camp (702) 637-3588 Karate USA Camp (318) 865-2000 LSUS Baseball, Basketball & Soccer Camps (318) 798-4177LSUS Baseball, Basketball & Soccer Camps (318) 798-4177 LSUS Basketball Camps (318) 798-4110 Pak’s Karate Camp (318) 752-2221/(318) 949-5675 Pierremont Oaks Tennis & Swim Camps (318) 865-4625 Risen Rock Climbing Camps (318) 393-1655 Swim School Swimming Camps (318) 222-7946 Word of God Academy Basketball Camp Word of God Academy Basketball Camp (318) 687-9003

SUPPORT/THERAPY CAMPS Camp Shriver (318) 426-7549 Camp Victory Riding Camp (318) 938-9166 Louisiana Lions Camp (800) 348-6567

Due to Covid – 19 Restrictions, these camps may or may not be scheduled for this summer. Please call to verify and to receive further information about each of these fun-filled enrichment programs.